Fact is free press society is full of braiwashing. From Taiwan case, mainland Chinese now believe democracy and freedom won't make people more intelligent, open minded, rational, tolerant. Quit opposite to that. Taiwanese are regarded as ignorant, arrogant, narrow minded "green frogs". Taiwan is a place full of hatred to China mainland, to different political color. Kids hate their parents for holding different political views. Taiwan is a highly politicalized place.
We don't admire Taiwan and its democracy. Not at all. Before the pandemic, millions tourists from China mainland visited Taiwan. No one illegally stayed there.